Zombies, Zombies, Zombies

I've recently started reading the comic book The Walking Dead, which, as you may be able to infer from the title, is about zombies. Well, it's actually about the people who are not zombies, but you get the point. I've gotten addicted thanks to Will. I've read the first six volumes now, the trade paperbacks, and it's a brilliant story. For anyone who is at all interested in the zombie sub-genre of horror, I highly recommend them. Heck, I wasn't even that interested in zombies before, but I love this series.

I also just finished Dead Sea, by Brian Keene, which is also a zombie book. I liked this novel, although not as much as Conqueror Worms. Both books have a similar premise--the end of the world--and pretty much no one survives, not that the main characters know of, anyway. Both are pretty gloomy, but Conqueror Worms at least offers a hint of hope at the end. Just a hint, but it's there. In Dead Sea, things just go from bad to even worse in the last couple pages.

I also recently read Red by Jack Ketchum. Good book. Nothing supernatural, just an old man who's angry at some young punks who shot his dog.

I started writing a new book today, tentatively titled "Below the Surface." I wrote a 1200 word prologue which I love. Came out better than I hoped. I'm still working on my first book, too. It's simmering right now. I intend to send it out soon on a submission. I also need to resubmit my story "This Devil's Song" since it was rejected by Weird Tales. Unfortunately, it's an odd length, and there aren't too many publications that want a horror story that's about 8000 words long. Most publications have an upper limit of 5000. There are some lower paying markets that might take it, but I know it's a good story, and I want to sell it to some better paying markets first. I'll submit my other stuff to the cheaper places, but this one's good. I still have a story called "Unnatural Blonde" out at Big Ole' Face Full of Monster. Haven't heard back in almost 3 months. I need to query them on what's up, just haven't had the time.

So Sorry

I'm a terrible blogger, I know. But I hardly ahve a spare minute to sit down and do any writing. I've been working in the office instead of at home, and I don't have the time to sit in front of the computer and spend time with my kids. So, I usually choose my kids.

Anyway, I'm just dropping in quickly to tell everyone what's been up lately. I've read a lot of good books--The Conqueror Worms, by Brian Keene, Blaze by Richard "Stephen King" Bachman, and Made in America by Bill Bryson to name just a few.

The wife and I went to a Counting Crows concert a few weeks ago. I've never been a big Crows fan, but the wife is, and I've grown to really like the CDs she plays. It was an awesome show. Plus Collective Soul and Live opened. Good time.

I got my first ever contributor's copy magazine the other day. It was from Scifaikuest. They published two of my haiku in print and two on-line. Got a big check for $4. But I'm mostly excited to have an actual print publication, that people pay for, with my work in it. Feels good. I should be getting another magazine soon from Horror Carousel with my story "The Eye of the Monster" in it. Yippee!

Anyway, I've got to go. I've been working hard on a new idea, I'll tell you more about it once I get started with the actual writing. Hopefully soon!